Leaf Spring "Wrap" Orientation on Tandem Axle Trailer- Need Advice

[sawmilleng]

Sledge,

From what I was able to find on the 'net, I think you have a rebound clip, as what Joe suggested. Looking at Google Images of springs, a lot of them have clips on both ends. However, it seems that their use is to reduce the load on the top spring leaf when the axle rebounds after a bump compresses the spring. The clip forces the spring leaves that are clipped together absorb the rebound forces rather than just the top spring taking all the load.

I'm guessing that the reason there is only one rebound clip on trailer springs is because the unsprung weight of the trailer axle, tires and brakes is not a lot when compared to the weight of a driven axle with all its gears housings, and stuff. So only a portion of the spring leaves need to be pulled into play with just one rebound clip. A clip at each end would double the amount of rebound resistance, which maybe is not required for a light trailer axle.

I would further guess that the rebound forces that the spring has to resist will be best controlled at the spring hanger that has the least linkages to the trailer frame, which is the ends of the spring that are NOT coupled to the frame through the equalizer link. This is because if the forces transferred through the equalizer link, there are an extra couple of bolts that can wear a little faster with the rebound forces going through them. It could be argued that this is not a huge consideration and the springs could be installed with the rebound clips in either direction.

So I am with Bear and Mechanic in suggesting that your sketch no. 4 would be the recommended spring arrangement.

Jon.